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Published on: May 23, 2011
Cortical excitation and chronic pain
1Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Centre for the Study of Pain, University of Toronto, Medical Sciences Building, 1 King's College Circle, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada. min.zhuo@utoronto.ca
Trends in Neurosciences
|March 11, 2008
Summary
This review explores chronic pain mechanisms, focusing on brain processing and cortical plasticity. Understanding these neural networks may lead to new treatments for difficult pain conditions.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pain Research
- Neurobiology
Background:
- Chronic pain affects millions, necessitating research into its underlying mechanisms.
- Current understanding of pain processing involves complex sensory modulation by the brain.
- Novel therapeutic targets are needed for intractable chronic pain conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To critically examine the existing literature on chronic pain mechanisms.
- To elucidate the role of cortical neuronal networks in chronic pain.
- To propose a comprehensive cortical network model for chronic pain.
Main Methods:
- Review of human brain imaging studies.
- Analysis of mouse models investigating molecular and synaptic mechanisms.
- Synthesis of current literature to develop a theoretical model.
Main Results:
- Human brain imaging reveals significant roles for cortical networks in chronic pain perception.
- Mouse studies identify key molecular and synaptic changes related to cortical plasticity in pain.
- Evidence suggests a strong link between cortical function and the unpleasantness of chronic pain.
Conclusions:
- Cortical neuronal networks are central to the processing and modulation of chronic pain.
- Understanding cortical plasticity offers potential pathways for novel pain interventions.
- A proposed cortical network model provides a framework for future chronic pain research.
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